Experiences of young women who underwent female genital mutilation/cutting

Abstract

Aim and objectives: To describe the FGM/C experiences of young women living in Nigeria. Background: Globally, several activities have been targeted at ending female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). However, the practice is ongoing, especially in countries such as Nigeria, which is reported to be having a population boom. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the FGM/C experiences of young women in such countries so that efforts towards ending it can be accelerated using evidence-based, community-led interventions. Design: A qualitative descriptive design. Methods: The study took place in two states of southeastern Nigeria with a high prevalence of FGM/C. The snowball sampling method was used to recruit 22 women, aged 20-40, who had undergone FGM/C. Participant's experiences were explored through semi-structured interviews, and the qualitative content analysis was used for data analysis. The consolidated checklist for reporting of qualitative studies guided the reporting of this study. Findings: Three themes and seven subthemes emerged from the data. The themes were as follows: cultural issues, life as a circumcised woman and the future with FGM/C. Half of the participants could not recall their experiences on the day of their circumcision, as they were circumcised at infancy. However, those who were older when circumcised experienced it as a painful, traumatic experience forced upon them. Some of the participants experienced sexual and childbirth problems due to this procedure, and this was of great concern to them. Conclusion: Female genital mutilation/cutting was a traumatic experience forced on the participants. They felt helpless as they could not choose and had to do the "right thing." Despite the trauma and complications caused by the cutting, some still supported the continuation of the practice. Relevance to clinical practice: Understanding the experiences of genitally mutilated women could assist healthcare practitioners in rendering quality, and contextualised services to these women.

Circumcising daughters in Nigeria: To what extent does education influence mothers’ FGM/C continuation attitudes?

“…Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a "surgical procedure involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genitalia organs, whether for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons" [1,2]. FGM/C has received considerable attention in both local and international discussions due to its dehumanizing act and violation of women's health rights [3][4][5][6][7]. About 200 million women and girls have undergone FGM/C, and additional 68 million girls will undergo the cutting before 2030 if appropriate and timely interventions are not implemented [8].…”

The Practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Africa And the Challenges Facing Its Eradication: Nigeria As A Case Study

“…A study has shown that 1 in 500 victims die from FGM [14,15]. Some victims of this practice suffer death as a result of blood loss and severe infections.…”

Sexual Function in Women With and Without Female Genital Mutilation in Reproductive Age in South of Iran

“…Despite the effects of circumcision, some still support the practice (4). According to studies, damage to the clitoris following circumcision causes a woman to have less sexual arousal and not be easily sexually aroused, thus increasing their ability to remain a virgin before marriage and delity to their husbands after marriage (5).…”